S.I. No. 281/2010 - European Communities (Consumer Credit Agreements) Regulations 2010

Type Statutory Instrument
Publication 2010-06-11
Last updated 2026-07-03
State In force superseded text
Text As published
articles 27

This is the act as published. Later amendments are not folded into the text below: each one is a separate act in this repository and an entry in this law's history.

8 amending acts · 2026-07-03, S.I. No. 309/2026 - European Union (Distance Contracts for Financial Services) Regulations 2026

Reform history JSON API

ARRANGEMENT OF REGULATIONS

Part 1 Preliminary

1 Citation.

2 Commencement.

3 Scope of these Regulations.

4Relationship of Parts 2 to 7 of these Regulations with Consumer Credit Act 1995.

5 Effect on existing agreements.

6 Interpretation.

Part 2 Information and practices preliminary to conclusion of credit agreements

7 Standard information to be included in advertising of credit.

8 Pre-contractual information — general obligations.

9Pre-contractual information requirements for certain overdraft facilities and certain other credit agreements.

10 Exemptions from pre-contractual information requirements.

11 Obligation to assess creditworthiness of consumers.

Part 3 Database access

12 Refusal of credit applications on basis of database access.

Part 4 Information and rights concerning credit agreements

13 Information to be included in credit agreements.

14 Information concerning changes in borrowing rates.

15 Obligations in relation to overdraft facilities.

16 Termination of open-end credit agreements.

17 Right of withdrawal.

18 Linked credit agreements.

19 Early repayment.

20 Assignment of creditors’ rights.

21 Overrunning.

Part 5 Annual percentage rate of charge

22 Calculation of annual percentage rate of charge.

Part 6 Credit intermediaries

23 Obligations of credit intermediaries.

Part 7 Miscellaneous

24 Anti-avoidance.

25 Penalties.

26 Regulation of certain friendly societies for certain purposes.

Part 8 Amendments of other statutory instruments

27 Amendment of Distance Marketing Regulations.

Schedule 1 Methods of calculating annual percentage rate of charge

Part 1Basic equation expressing equivalence of drawdowns with repayments and charges

Part 2Additional assumptions for calculation of annual percentage rate of charge

Schedule 2 Standard European Consumer Credit Information Form

Schedule 3 European Consumer Credit Information Form for overdrafts, consumer credit offered by certain credit organisations and debt conversion

S.I. No. 281 of 2010

EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES (CONSUMER CREDIT AGREEMENTS) REGULATIONS 2010

Notice of the making of this Statutory Instrument was published in

“Iris Oifigiúil” of 11th June, 2010.

I, BRIAN LENIHAN, Minister for Finance, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by section 3 of the European Communities Act 1972 (No. 27 of 1972) (as amended by the European Communities Act 2007 (No. 18 of 2007)), and for the purpose of giving effect to Directive 2008/48/EC 1 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 April 2008, hereby make the following regulations:

PART 1 Preliminary

Citation

1.

1.

These Regulations may be cited as the European Communities (Consumer Credit Agreements) Regulations 2010.

Commencement

2.

2.

These Regulations come into operation on 11 June 2010.

Scope of these Regulations

3.

3.

(1) Subject to paragraphs (2) to (6), Parts 2 to 7 of these Regulations apply to credit agreements.

Relationship of Parts 2 to 7 of these Regulations with Consumer Credit Act 1995

4.

4.

(1) For the application of Part II of the Consumer Credit Act 1995 (No. 24 of 1995) (in this Regulation called “the Act of 1995”) to advertising to which Regulation 7 applies, the annual percentage rate (in that Part called “APR”) shall be determined in accordance with the definition of “annual percentage rate of charge” in Regulation 6(1) and the formulae set out in Schedule 1.

Effect on existing agreements

5.

5.

(1) Other than as set out in paragraphs (2) to (4), Parts 2 to 7 of these Regulations do not apply to a credit agreement that is in existence when these Regulations come into operation.

Interpretation

6.

6.

(1) In these Regulations—

“annual percentage rate of charge” in relation to a credit agreement means the total cost of the credit to the consumer (including, where applicable, the costs referred to in Regulation 22(2) and (3)), expressed as an annual percentage of the total amount of credit;

“borrowing rate” in relation to a credit agreement means the interest rate expressed as a fixed or variable percentage applied on an annual basis to the amount of credit drawn down;

“consumer” means a natural person who is acting, in the course of a transaction to which these Regulations apply, for purposes outside his or her trade, business or profession;

“contravene” includes fail to comply with;

“credit agreement” means an agreement under which a creditor grants or promises to grant to a consumer credit in the form of a deferred payment, loan or other similar financial accommodation, but does not include an agreement for—

where the consumer pays for the services or goods by instalments for the duration of their provision;

“credit intermediary” means a person (including a firm, within the meaning of the Partnership Act 1890 (53 & 54 Vict. c. 39)) who is not acting as a creditor and who, in the course of trade, business or profession, for a fee (whether in pecuniary form or any other form of financial consideration)—

“creditor” means a person who grants or promises to grant credit in the course of trade, business or profession;

“Distance Marketing Regulations” means the European Communities (Distance Marketing of Consumer Financial Services) Regulations 2004 ( S.I. No. 853 of 2004 );

“durable medium” means any medium that enables a consumer to store information addressed personally to the consumer in a way that renders it accessible for future reference for a period of time adequate for the purposes of the information and allows the unchanged reproduction of the information;

“European Consumer Credit Information” has the meaning given by Regulation 9(1);

“European Consumer Credit Information Form” means the form set out in Schedule 3;

“fixed borrowing rate” in relation to a credit agreement means—

“linked credit agreement” means a credit agreement where—

“overdraft facility” means an explicit credit agreement by which a creditor makes available to a consumer who operates a current account with the creditor funds in excess of the current balance in the current account;

“overrunning” means a tacitly accepted overdraft—that is, an overdraft where a consumer operates a current account (with or without an explicit overdraft facility) with a creditor, and without formal agreement the creditor makes available to the consumer funds in excess of—

“Standard European Consumer Credit Information” has the meaning given by Regulation 8(1);

“Standard European Consumer Credit Information Form” means the form set out in Schedule 2;

“total cost of the credit to the consumer” in relation to a credit agreement means all the costs that the consumer is required to pay in connection with the credit agreement and that are known to the creditor concerned, including—

“total amount payable by the consumer” in relation to a credit agreement means the sum of the total amount of the credit and the total cost of the credit to the consumer;

“total amount of credit” in relation to a credit agreement means the limit of the credit, or the total sum, made available under the credit agreement.

PART 2 Information and practices preliminary to conclusion of credit agreements

Standard information to be included in advertising of credit

7.

7.

(1) Any advertising concerning credit agreements that indicates an interest rate or any figures relating to the cost of the credit to the consumer shall include standard information in accordance with this Regulation.

Pre-contractual information — general obligations

8.

8.

(1) Subject to Regulation 10, in good time before a consumer is bound by a credit agreement or an offer of credit, the creditor concerned and any credit intermediary involved shall provide the consumer with the information needed to compare different offers in order to take an informed decision on whether to conclude a credit agreement. That information (in these Regulations called the “Standard European Consumer Credit Information”) is—

Pre-contractual information requirements for certain overdraft facilities and certain other credit agreements

9.

9.

(1) Subject to Regulation 10, in good time before a consumer becomes bound by a credit agreement, or an offer concerning a credit agreement, of a kind referred to in paragraph (2) or (4) of Regulation 3, the creditor concerned and any credit intermediary involved shall provide the consumer with the information needed to compare different offers in order to take an informed decision on whether to conclude the credit agreement. That information (in these Regulations called the “European Consumer Credit Information”) is—

However, if such a credit agreement falls within the scope of Regulation 3(2), only paragraphs (1) to (3) apply to it.

Exemptions from pre-contractual information requirements

10.

10.

(1) Regulations 8 and 9 do not apply to a supplier of goods or services acting as a credit intermediary in an ancillary capacity.

Obligation to assess creditworthiness of consumers

11.

11.

(1) Before concluding a credit agreement with a consumer, a creditor shall assess the consumer’s creditworthiness on the basis of sufficient information, where appropriate obtained from the consumer and, where necessary, on the basis of a consultation of the relevant database.

PART 3 Database access

Refusal of credit applications on basis of database access

12.

12.

(1) Subject to paragraph (2), if a consumer’s credit application is rejected on the basis of the consultation of a database, the creditor concerned shall inform the consumer immediately and without charge of the result of the consultation and of the particulars of the database consulted.

PART 4 Information and rights concerning credit agreements

Information to be included in credit agreements

13.

13.

(1) A credit agreement shall be drawn up on paper or on another durable medium.

Information concerning changes in borrowing rates

14.

14.

(1) Where applicable, subject to paragraph (2), a creditor shall inform a consumer of any change in the borrowing rate, on paper or another durable medium, before the change enters into force. The information shall state the amount of the payments to be made after the entry into force of the new borrowing rate and, if the number or frequency of the payments changes, particulars of the changes.

Obligations in relation to overdraft facilities

15.

15.

(1) Where a credit agreement covers credit in the form of an overdraft facility, the creditor shall keep the consumer regularly informed by means of a statement of account, on paper or on another durable medium, containing the following particulars:

Termination of open-end credit agreements

16.

16.

(1) A consumer may effect the standard termination of an open-end credit agreement free of charge at any time unless the parties have agreed on a period of notice. Such a period may not exceed one month.

Right of withdrawal

17.

17.

(1) A consumer may, within 14 calendar days after the relevant day specified in paragraph (2), withdraw from a credit agreement without giving any reason.

Linked credit agreements

18.

18.

(1) Where a consumer has exercised a right of withdrawal from a credit agreement (being a right of withdrawal conferred by a law of the State giving effect to an Act of the European Communities or the European Union concerning a contract for the supply of goods or services), he or she also ceases to be bound by any linked credit agreement.

Early repayment

19.

19.

(1) A consumer may at any time discharge fully or partially his or her obligations under a credit agreement. In such cases, he or she is entitled to a reduction in the total cost of the credit to the extent of the interest and the costs for the remaining duration of the agreement.

Assignment of creditors’ rights

20.

20.

(1) If a creditor’s rights under a credit agreement or the agreement itself are assigned to a third party, the consumer concerned is entitled to plead against the assignee any defence available to him or her against the original creditor, including set-off.

Overrunning

21.

21.

(1) If a creditor and a consumer agree to open a current account, and there is a possibility of the consumer being allowed an overrun, the agreement shall contain the information referred to in Regulation 9(1)(e). The creditor shall provide that information on paper or on another durable medium on a regular basis.

PART 5 Annual percentage rate of charge

Calculation of annual percentage rate of charge

22.

22.

(1) The annual percentage rate of charge (equating, on an annual basis, to the present value of all commitments (drawdowns, repayments and charges), future or existing, agreed by the creditor and consumer concerned) shall be calculated in accordance with the mathematical formula set out in Part I of Schedule 1.

PART 6 Credit intermediaries

Obligations of credit intermediaries

23.

23.

(1) A credit intermediary shall indicate in advertising and documentation intended for consumers the extent of his or her powers, in particular whether he or she works exclusively with one or more creditors or as an independent broker.

PART 7 Miscellaneous

Anti-avoidance

24.

24.

(1) A provision of a credit agreement that purports to disapply to the agreement any provision of these Regulations, or to alter in any respect the operation of any provision of these Regulations in relation to the agreement, is of no effect.

a court shall have regard to the commercial reality of the transaction for the purpose of determining whether or not these Regulations apply to it.

Penalties

25.

25.

(1) A person who is guilty of an offence under these Regulations is liable—

that person as well as the body corporate commits an offence and is liable to be proceeded against and punished as if he or she were guilty of the first-mentioned offence.

Regulation of certain friendly societies for certain purposes.

26.

26.

The Irish Financial Services Regulatory Authority is the regulator of friendly societies, other than any to which Parts 2 to 6 and this Part do not apply, in relation to compliance with Parts 2 to 6 and this Part.

PART 8 Amendments of other statutory instruments

Amendment of Distance Marketing Regulations

27.

27.

(1) The European Communities (Distance Marketing of Consumer Financial Services) Regulations 2004 ( S.I. No. 853 of 2004 ) are amended in Schedule 2 by inserting after subparagraph (b) the following:

  • “(ba) where the financial service is a credit agreement to which the European Communities (Consumer Credit Agreements) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. of 2010) apply, the following particulars:

    • (i) the total amount of credit and the conditions governing its drawdown;

    • (ii) the duration of the credit agreement;

    • (iii) in the cases of credit in the form of deferred payment for a specific good or service and a linked credit agreement, the good or service concerned and its cash price;

    • (iv) the following information in relation to borrowing rates and charges:

      • (I) the initial borrowing rate;

      • (II) the conditions governing the application of the initial borrowing rate;

      • (III) where available, any index or reference rate applicable to the initial borrowing rate;

      • (IV) the periods, conditions and procedure for changing the borrowing rate;

      • (V) if different borrowing rates apply in different circumstances, the information required by sub-subparagraphs (i) to (iv) for all the applicable rates;

    • (v) the amount, number and frequency of payments to be made by the consumer and, where applicable, the order in which payments will be allocated to different outstanding balances charged at different borrowing rates for the purposes of reimbursement;

    • (vi) the annual percentage rate of charge illustrated by means of a representative example;”.

SCHEDULE 1 Methods of calculating annual percentage rate of charge

PART 1 *Basic equation expressing equivalence of drawdowns with repayments and charges*

The basic equation, which establishes the annual percentage rate of charge (APR), equates, on an annual basis, the total present value of drawdowns on the one hand and the total present value of repayments and payments of charges on the other hand, i.e.:

where:

X is the APR,

m is the number of the last drawdown,

k is the number of a drawdown, thus 1 k m,

Ck is the amount of drawdown k,

tk is the interval, expressed in years and fractions of a year, between the date of the first drawdown and the date of each subsequent drawdown, thus t1 = 0,

m / is the number of the last repayment or payment of charges,

l is the number of a repayment or payment of charges,

Dl is the amount of a repayment or payment of charges,

sl is the interval, expressed in years and fractions of a year, between the date of the first drawdown and the date of each repayment or payment of charges.

Remarks:

S being the present balance of flows. If the aim is to maintain the equivalence of flows, the value will be zero.

PART 2 *Additional assumptions for calculation of annual percentage rate of charge*

SCHEDULE 2 Standard European Consumer Credit Information Form

1. Name and contact details of the creditor and any credit intermediary

CreditorAddressTelephone number []E-mail address []Fax number []Web address [] [Name][Geographical address to be used by the consumer]
If applicableCredit intermediaryAddressTelephone number []E-mail address []Fax number []Web address [] [Name][Geographical address to be used by the consumer]
[*] This information is optional for the creditor.

Wherever “if applicable” is indicated, the creditor must fill in the box if the information is relevant to the credit product or delete the respective information or the entire row if the information is not relevant for the type of credit considered.

Indications between square brackets provide explanations for the creditor and must be replaced with the corresponding information.

2. Description of the main features of the credit product

The type of credit
The total amount of creditThis means the ceiling or the total sums made available under the credit agreement.
The conditions governing the drawdownThis means how and when you will obtain the money.
The duration of the credit agreement
Instalments and, where appropriate, the order in which instalments will be allocated You will have to pay the following:[The amount, number and frequency of payments to be made by the consumer]Interest and/or charges will be payable in the following manner:
The total amount you will have to payThis means the amount of borrowed capital plus interest and possible costs related to your credit. [Sum of total amount of credit and total cost of credit]
If applicableThe credit is granted in the form of a deferred payment for a good or service or is linked to the supply of specific goods or the provision of a serviceName of good/serviceCash price
If applicableSureties requiredThis is a description of the security to be provided by you in relation to the credit agreement. [Kind of sureties]
If applicableRepayments do not give rise to immediate amortisation of the capital.

3. Costs of the credit

The borrowing rate or, if applicable, different borrowing rates which apply to the credit agreement [ %— fixed or— variable (with the index or reference rate applicable to the initial borrowing rate),— periods],
Annual Percentage Rate of Charge (APR)This is the total cost expressed as an annual percentage of the total amount of credit.The APR is there to help you compare different offers. [% A representative example mentioning all the assumptions used for calculating the rate to be set out here]
Is it compulsory, in order to obtain the credit or to obtain it on the terms and conditions marketed, to take out— an insurance policy securing the credit, or— another ancillary service contract,If the costs of these services are not known by the creditor they are not included in the APR. Yes/no [if yes, specify the kind of insurance]Yes/no [if yes, specify the kind of ancillary service]
Related costs
If applicableMaintaining one or more accounts is required for recording both payment transactions and drawdowns
If applicableAmount of costs for using a specific means of payment (e.g. a credit card)
If applicableAny other costs deriving from the credit agreement
If applicableConditions under which the abovementioned costs related to the credit agreement can be changed
Costs in the case of late paymentsMissing payments could have severe consequences for you (e.g. forced sale) and make obtaining credit more difficult. You will be charged [ (applicable interest rate and arrangements for its adjustment and, where applicable, default charges)] for missing payments.

4. Other important legal aspects

Right of withdrawalYou have the right to withdraw from the credit agreement within a period of 14 calendar days. Yes/no
Early repaymentYou have the right to repay the credit early at any time in full or partially.
If applicableThe creditor is entitled to compensation in the case of early repayment [Determination of the compensation (calculation method) in accordance with Regulation 19 of the European Communities (Consumer Credit Agreements) Regulations 2010)]
Consultation of a databaseThe creditor must inform you immediately and without charge of the result of a consultation of a database, if a credit application is rejected on the basis of such a consultation. This does not apply if the provision of such information is prohibited by European Community law or is contrary to objectives of public policy or public security.
Right to a draft credit agreementYou have the right, upon request, to obtain a copy of the draft credit agreement free of charge. This provision does not apply if the creditor is at the time of the request unwilling to proceed to the conclusion of the credit agreement with you.
If applicableThe period of time during which the creditor is bound by the pre-contractual information This information is valid from until

If applicable

5. Additional information in the case of distance marketing of financial services

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